Mangaluru, Feb 04 2019: Dalit leaders who participated in the SC/ST grievance redressal meet at the City Police Commissioner’s Office on February 3, Sunday expressed their resentment over the fact that three out of the six accused in the Thota Bengre gang rape case, have been out on bail within a month.

Raising the issue, Dalit leader Sadashiva Urvastore said while the victim is still in remand home, the accused are out on bail and roaming freely. This gives room for doubt as to whether they have been booked under stringent sections.

Responding to the same, DCP Uma Prashanth said the court process could not be questioned. She also stated that an appeal could be filed against the bail granted to the accused.

As the accused avail the services of lawyers and secure bail, another way is to appeal to the lawyers against taking up cases of such accused, said Dr C B Vedamurthi, SP of Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate who was also present at the meeting.